Is the DB9 the oldest car still on sale?

[kryten22uk]

So the DB9 came out in, what, 2003? In that time it hasnt recieved a "proper" update, or been replaced with a successor. Cant think of many other cars still on sale, which are that old. Perhaps the Bentley Conti GT. Even Lamborghini have given the Gallardo dinosaur a substantial rewrite in the LP560-4. During this time, Ferrari have had the 360, 430 and now the 458, and Porsche have had 996, 997 Gen1 and Gen2.

So why are AM not coming up with something new? Is it just lack of funds for R&D?

P.S This isnt meant to be an antagonistic thread, I'm just interested (and eager for AM to introduce the next model!)

Edited by kryten22uk on Thursday 26th August 10:33

[simonpieman]

kryten22uk said:

So why are AM not coming up with something new? Is it just lack of funds for R&D?

Edited by kryten22uk on Thursday 26th August 10:33

Isn't it obvious? The DB9 is already perfect, hence they don't need to come up with something new.

[bananarob]

A new DB9 has just come out in the last few weeks. Define 'proper'...

[kryten22uk]

By "proper", I meant a full-on redesign/facelift or a new model entirely. Tweaking the mirrors and sills, is not a new model in my opinion.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Murph7355]

kryten22uk said:

So the DB9 came out in, what, 2003? In that time it hasnt recieved a "proper" update, or been replaced with a successor. Cant think of many other cars still on sale, which are that old. Perhaps the Bentley Conti GT. Even Lamborghini have given the Gallardo dinosaur a substantial rewrite in the LP560-4. During this time, Ferrari have had the 360, 430 and now the 458, and Porsche have had 996, 997 Gen1 and Gen2.

So why are AM not coming up with something new? Is it just lack of funds for R&D?

At the homecoming event I asked a similar question about the V8 Vantage, and the answer was that they believe the product line has plenty of legs. The DB7 was cited as an example of Aston having long living product lines, being in production for something like 10yrs.

On that basis, I guess you can expect the DB9 to still be around in 3yrs' time or more.

To be fair to Aston, Ferrari's model changes tend to incorporate relatively "easy" mods at mid-cycle. 348/355 were largely the same platform, as were 360/430. So arguably their model cycles are also around the 9-10yr mark. The former was likely driven more by handling/aesthetics, which have never been a major issue with the Aston. On the latter, it was to keep up with the Joneses power/tech wise, and you could say that the release of the DBS (an extensively modified DB9 IMO) did this for Aston.

The Gallardo has been out since 2003, with the original incarnation lasting 5yrs. The LP560 is again a mod on the same platform. Not sure when their properly new car is due out, but would think the Murci would be done first? And that's not due until 2012.

As for Porsche....hasn't the 911 been 40yrs in the making

Again following the tour this week, I would expect any replacement to still be based on the VH platform. Clever piece of engineering that would allow all manner of alternatives to be produced. I also wonder (though didn't ask) whether any new models will take interior and exterior cues from the 1-77...so maybe they'll wait a year or two after customer versions of that have been delivered...?

Like you though, I'm really keen to see what they do for external and internal changes. Performance "upgrades" are getting increasingly irrelevant these days other than for pub bragging rights. But the look, feel and the way it handles will be very interesting.

[simonpieman]

I recall reading something on this a few months back suggesting 2013 for new DB9 - can't remember whether it was a car mag or business section of national newspaper. This link suggests the same:

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2010/06/aston-m...

[Grant3]

Autocar did a feature on the next generation, they claimed it will have One-77 design features, expected 2013 DB9, 2014 Vantage.

Aston had evolved the cars quite a lot each year and the DB9 has had a large number of mods/additions & changes over the years, particularly for the 09MY which had new Bilstein suspension set-up, engine upgrade, new consul, hard drive nav & much more this years car has ADS adaptive damping as standard, so when you compare the current car with a 2005 model it has moved on a lot under the skin, but I agree the exterior is starting to look tad dated now, particularly at the rear!

[LordBretSinclair]

They've probably spent all the R&D money on the Cygnet !!!

[bananarob]

If it aint broke, dont fix it!

[simonpieman]

bananarob said:

If it aint broke, dont fix it!

Here here. The DB9 is timeless, IMHO. But I am biased.

[plasticpig]

The DB9 has a long way to go to beat the current oldest car design for sale in the UK. The Lada Niva dating back to 1977 is still for sale in the UK.

Http://www.markkey.co.uk/

[Shmee]

Is the consensus that the next Vantage is still a good 3-4 years away too?

[Murph7355]

Shmee said:

Is the consensus that the next Vantage is still a good 3-4 years away too?

That'd be my guess. Possibly a year longer.